What You Need to Know About Coroner
Job Description & Duties Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.
Life As a Coroner
- Inquire into the cause, manner, and circumstances of human deaths and establish the identities of deceased persons.
- Complete death certificates, including the assignment of cause and manner of death.
- Locate and document information regarding the next of kin, including their relationship to the deceased and the status of notification attempts.
- Witness and certify deaths that are the result of a judicial order.
- Observe, record, and preserve any objects or personal property related to deaths, including objects such as medication containers and suicide notes.
- Perform medicolegal examinations and autopsies, conducting preliminary examinations of the body to identify victims, locate signs of trauma, and identify factors that would indicate time of death.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Coroner?
Coroners state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Coroner
- Deputy Coroner Investigator
- Medical Investigator
- Forensic Pathologist
- Coroner Forensic Technician
- Coroner Technician
Job Demand for Coroners
In the United States, there were 288,300 jobs for Coroner in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 23,700 new jobs for Coroner by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 25,900 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Coroner are Utah, Nevada, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Coroners Salary
The average yearly salary of a Coroner ranges between $38,320 and $109,650.
Coroners who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Coroners make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $67,700 |
| Alaska | $80,840 |
| Arizona | $64,340 |
| Arkansas | $56,820 |
| California | $82,380 |
| Colorado | $73,710 |
| Connecticut | $84,590 |
| Delaware | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $93,240 |
| Florida | $63,890 |
| Georgia | $63,030 |
| Hawaii | $69,980 |
| Idaho | $59,420 |
| Illinois | $74,180 |
| Indiana | $61,970 |
| Iowa | $63,340 |
| Kansas | $60,030 |
| Kentucky | $58,260 |
| Louisiana | $61,230 |
| Maine | $66,230 |
| Maryland | $77,250 |
| Massachusetts | $83,100 |
| Michigan | $71,470 |
| Minnesota | $76,190 |
| Mississippi | $54,700 |
| Missouri | $62,180 |
| Montana | $62,620 |
| Nebraska | $68,610 |
| Nevada | $67,540 |
| New Hampshire | $70,670 |
| New Jersey | $83,210 |
| New Mexico | $68,290 |
| New York | $76,370 |
| North Carolina | $67,100 |
| North Dakota | $70,970 |
| Ohio | $67,140 |
| Oklahoma | $59,340 |
| Oregon | $71,860 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,090 |
| Rhode Island | $76,440 |
| South Carolina | $61,390 |
| South Dakota | $57,930 |
| Tennessee | $61,780 |
| Texas | $74,690 |
| Utah | $59,470 |
| Vermont | $69,520 |
| Virginia | $75,900 |
| Washington | $84,340 |
| West Virginia | $60,740 |
| Wisconsin | $62,700 |
| Wyoming | $67,370 |
What Tools & Technology do Coroners Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Coroners:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Git
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Structured query language SQL
- Linux
- UNIX
- Graphics software
- Android
- Corel WordPerfect
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services
- Transact-SQL
- EMC Documentum
How do I Become a Coroner?
Learn what Coroner education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become a Coroner?
Who Employs Coroners?
The table below shows the approximate number of Coroners employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Are you already one of the many Coroner in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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